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Cepaka, The New Village of Wellness

Located off the beaten path, just a short drive inland from
Canggu, lies one of Bali’s best kept secrets - the bucolic village of Cepaka.
Bordered by a seemingly endless mosaic of rice fields to the south and the Penet
River to the north, Cepaka offers so much more than the eye can see with a
cursory glance. Rain forest canopies, birdsong melodies and some of the best
babi guling for miles around, are just a few of the characteristics that drew a
handful of pioneering Australian developers to the area almost 20 years ago. As
Bali has grown since the boom of a decade ago, so too has Cepaka. While some
would argue that the growth in southern Bali has been a double-edged sword, the
consensus on Cepaka today is unequivocally and unanimously positive.

Cepaka comprises a string of three small villages along a
narrow government road, which winds its way through bright green rice fields
and terraces. Whilst it’s a rural community, the village life is rich and
varied. You will find the local people warm and friendly, offering big smiles
and cheerful greetings as they go about their business. It is pleasant to walk
along the road and watch the daily life around you. Their faith is a way of
life and this translates into the daily offerings at shrines and temples
throughout the village and its homes. The surrounding natural environment is a
balance between the jungle-lined river, native vegetation and the growing of
rice and vegetables. It has rhythm and meaning, which in turn give peace of
mind. Not too far away, however, is the hectic chaos of busy roads, shops and
markets, beaches and bars, restaurants and tourist attractions. - See more at:
http://www.balirainforestretreat.com

What began as a nice place to get away from the hustle and
bustle to the south has matured into a village with a character all of its own.
Many traditional villages in Bali have their own “personality” if you will. For
instance, in and around the Ubud area each village is generally known for
producing very specific crafts or works of art; the village of Mas is known for
it’s wood carvers, Batu Bulan is of course renowned for its stone carvings,
Sukawati and Celuk for their silversmiths, and the list goes on. There are villages
known for traditional painting, modern art, egg painting, kite building and
more. In the south however, we hadn’t normally seen that type of specificity.
Seminyak quickly became famous for everything
touristic; great restaurants, fine shopping, endless beach life and incredible
sky painting sunsets, but as lovely as these features are, they are hardly
specifically “Balinese” traits. Owing to how well received the new ‘Bali
lifestyle’ has quickly spread, the villages of Canggu and Berawa have kept up
the pace of growth to accommodate the constantly increasing demand.

But for many of Bali’s 10,000 daily foreign arrivals and
countless domestic holiday makers as well, the new “Bali lifestyle” was not the
“it” they were looking for when they went looking for something new and
refreshing from the island of the gods. Concurrent with the development of the
Bali’s burgeoning bohemia another, more user friendly, trend has developed. And
while it might not be for everyone, those who have found it in Cepaka have
benefited greatly and are eager to share. That trend is the wellness movement.

Wellness is defined by Webster’s as “ the quality or
state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal - lifestyles
that promote wellness.” The pioneers of Cepaka have responded to the
queries- sourced from Australia,
Jakarta, Europe, the United States and more – to create destination locations
that can cater to all levels of wellness seekers. If you are new to the concept
or have been introduced to wellness by need rather than desire, there are
softer ‘introduction to wellness’ packages, which will guide, instruct and
facilitate adjustment to the new lifestyle. Diet, yoga, exercise and meditation
programs are designed to ease you into a new phase of your life that looks to
place your focus on a range of healthier habits. If you are an experienced
practitioner of the healthy arts & science of life, more advanced programs
are in place to take your practice and your lifestyle to the next level. There
are corporate packages on offer, as well as individual, group or family
programs. The length and intensity of the program can be tailored to meet the
group’s or individual needs.

The villas of
Cepaka are each uniquely designed to combine distinctive Balinese features with
modern facilities and various combinations of rooms. They also offer the best
environment for wellness programs, with their peaceful surroundings and gentle
pace of village life contributing immensely to a sense of well-being and
renewal.

Combine these
qualities with a 15 minute easy access to the beach; surfing, great
restaurants, bars, coffee, etc, in the Batu Bolong/Echo Beach area of Canggu
and it’s a winner. Surf, sunbathe, spa, sip cocktails….just don’t tell your
yoga instructor! It is also worth mentioning the easy access from Cepaka to the
Green School (15 mins) and Ubud, only 30 minutes scenic drive away.

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